The case for Quinn’s vulnerability is simple: He’s the leader of a dysfunctional state government that sent his two predecessors to federal prison. He raised state income taxes after saying he wouldn’t, and the state’s finances are still a mess. And by signing a pension-reform deal, Quinn alienated the public-sector unions that make up the Democratic base.

Kirk defined the recipe for Republicans to win in Illinois: “Be pro-choice and be a social moderate and be right up front with that. Use the pro-choice words that come out of your mouth, which for a lot of Republicans is hard to do.” […]

“He is a Republican in a Democratic sphere,” Kirk said. “If he ties his shoes wrong, the Democrats can always get a significant number of commentators to be offended at how he has tied his shoes. There’s a whole offended industry that will be ginned up to speak heavily against him in the coming campaign.”

“There was a lot of feeling that with an African-American president, life on the south side of Chicago would be radically different,” Kirk said. “You hear that, immediately that it’s not different for me. What you’ll see is Rauner reaching into the African-American community pretty heavily.”

I, too, have heard several people on the South Side say this. But it’s one thing for them to say it, and it’s quite another for a white Republican to attack Obama directly.

* And speaking of which, Sneed had a story this week about black GOP ward committeemen who’ve never really done much of anything attacking black ministers for cozying up to Rauner…

Sneed is told that the skirmish for fiscal attention resulted in a summit being called at 6 p.m. Monday at 2800 W. Madison by at least a dozen South and West Side committeemen — some of whom claim neglect and little funding under the leadership of Cook County GOP Party Chairman Aaron Del Mar. Del Mar is up for re-election on April 16, and the group is scheduled to hear from his opponent, 43rd Ward Committeeman Chris Cleveland. […]

[Larry Nelson, 24th Ward GOP committeeman] also is angry that ministers get more attention than committeemen.

“Don’t go to the ministers!” he told Sneed. […]

So who has more control over voting in the South and West Side wards?

“The ministers,” [Cook County GOP Party Chairman Aaron Del Mar] said. “Committeemen have small constituencies in their wards; the ministers have flocks all over the place. Both sides have to be happy.

“If he ties his shoes wrong, the Democrats can always get a significant number of Capfax commentators to be offended at how he has tied his shoes. There’s a whole offended industry that will be ginned up to speak heavily against him in the coming campaign.

“If he zips up his Carhartt wrong, the Raunerbots can always get a significant number of Lemmings to spout talking points at how his Carhartt is the real Bruce Rauner, and not an act. There’s a whole Raunerbot industry that will be ginned up to speak heavily against their better selves in the coming campaign.”

I can understand why Rauner and others would bypass south/west side GOP Committeeman.. they have no organization, carry no votes, have no name ID, and some of them may very well be shills for the Democratic Alderman and/or Committeeman.

The same is largely true for the GOP Committeeman in white wards, save one or two wards where there is some minimal organization.

Just Observing
The same is largely true for the Cook co. GOP ! The GOP doesn’t control more than 30 of the 80 townships and wards that make up the largest voter pool for the Republican party in the state.

Has Aaron Del Mar ever visited the South or West Sides of Chicago? Seriously, this man thinks that the job of being Cook County Republican Chair consists solely of posing for photographs and issuing press releases praising himself. There are no Republican candidates filed for any County offices and the Democrats are running unopposed for almost everything. Del Mar needs to be replaced.

I was told there would be “no math”, now the grading is on a creativity curve?

You have seen how figure skating handles their judging?

I could probably be more creative, but both Rauners seem to only be about a watch, snow globes, huntin’ dogs, Harleys, Carhartts, and blaming everyone, including his wife, for Dem connections and donations that done by Unions are seen by both Rauners as bribes.

At least Jason Plummer was a living caricature, both Rauners think the voters are fools.

To the post the senator is correct being a moderate republican is the recipe to win state wide in IL. He’s dead wrong about Daddy Warbucks though, although he will need his money San support in his reflection. Hopefully the dems can take that one back.

Speaking with such authroity on the Rauners, I take it that Mr. Willy has dealt with them and knows them personally.

IMHO, the problem that Mr. Willy really has with Rauner is that Rauner is not from Mr. Willy’s comfort zone, i.e. Springfield insider a/k/a professional politician. He is simply not part of the good old boy network that Mr. Willy likes to play with.

You did such a poor job speaking for me, I will say if you are confused, hit the “search” key. I speak pretty plain, especially about Rauner.

“The problem that I really has with Rauner is that Rauner is not a Republican at all, but a Raunerite, i.e. Springfield insider a/k/a am insider’s insider. He is simply a part of the good old boy network that ‘Bruce Rauner’ pretends to play not play with, but who Bruce Rauner, lives, earns, clouts, and even intimidates with his wealth and hypocrisy.”

Good to seek Mitt “I am a Wimp” Rauner spent the whole week in FL while CommandoMakeIt has taken over as campaign spokesman
The Monday meeting will be fun as Chitown GOP powerhouses bid for their love offerings.
Wait til they learn Sen. Meeks has it all already
opps
Wonder if WhackyJackRoeser supports the Commando’s campaign message for Mitt?
BTW Mitt only wears slip-ons

I may be missing something obvious, but the black religious leaders in Chicago seem pretty pro-family and anti-crime, and they want better economic opportunity and better schools in their neighborhoods for their flocks. That puts them at odds with both Democrats on social issues, and the Republicans that want to bypass social issues but cut spending on aid programs.

Do Rauner or Quinn fill their bill for a candidate, really? Maybe Rauner will start down the neighborhood charter school path. That would be an interesting pitch to the black religious community.

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